15-Year-Old Defenseman Liam Darcy Commits to UNH

Liam Darcy (DOB: 2-26-1997), a sophomore at Berwick Academy, has committed to play for the UNH Wildcats. Last season, Darcy played as a 5'11", 160 lbs. defenseman for Berwick Academy. His scoring line as a freshman was 5 goals and 17 assists in 21 games which made the left-shot defenseman the team's fourth leading scorer. In midseason, Liam was rated by U.S. Hockey Report as one of the top freshman playing high school or prep school hockey. The folks at USHR described Darcy as an "intelligent player who processes the game quickly; keeps his head up and makes plays."

There are long-standing ties between the hockey programs at UNH and Berwick Academy. Following an illustrious career as Head Coach at UNH, Charlie Holt came out of retirement to coach Berwick from 1989-1996. Former UNH captain Bill Beaney, who has been the long-time head coach at Middlebury College, coached at Berwick in the mid-1980's. And of course, current standout goaltender for UNH, Casey DeSmith, played for Berwick Academy in his freshman and sophomore years.

As a top young prospect, Liam Darcy has earned invitations to USA Hockey's Player Development Camps over the last two summers. In July, 2011, Darcy scored 2 assists in 5 games at the Select 14 Player Development Camp in Rochester, NY. Last March, after his season at Berwick Academy had ended, Darcy competed at the New England Yankee Conference Festival. Players earn an invitation to the USA Hockey Development Camps at these regional competitions. In their extensive coverage of the competition, U.S. Hockey Report provided this assessment of Liam Darcy:

"Was the MVP at Berwick Academy as a freshman, which is no small accomplishment. Very, very intelligent player who is beginning to realize just how good he is. Has a smooth set of hands and is difficult to get the puck from. Does an excellent job of sucking forecheckers in before moving the puck up ice. Will be another defenseman who will get consideration from the NTDP (National Team Development Program)."

Darcy earned a trip to the 2012 Select 15 Camp in mid-July. In 5 games, Darcy scored 3 assists. It's interesting to note that 1997-born UNH recruit Charlie Kelleher also participated in the same two USA Hockey Select Camps.

In the spring of 2010 and 2011, Liam Darcy played in international competition for the East Coast Selects Quebec team. In the 2011 season, Darcy scored a goal in a game against a team from Omsk, Russia and was named as one of the Player of the Year winners.

Liam Darcy has played his youth hockey for the Seacoast Spartans based at the Rinks in Exeter, NH. Last fall, Darcy played for the Spartans' Bantam Major team.